Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) are growing in popularity among California property owners. These additions to properties provide homeowners with extra living space suitable for aging relatives, college students, and others who prefer a smaller floor plan for affordability and easy maintenance. While ADUs are convenient, you’ll need to comply with several important requirements that involve the kitchen. Understanding the size and equipment requirements for ADUs helps you plan the kitchen layout with your local contractor. Below, the pros from Forever Builders, the ADU contractors Costa Mesa residents trust for exceptional craftsmanship and outstanding service, explain what you need to know about complying with California requirements for ADU kitchens.
Start with the Minimum Size
The California Department of Housing and Community Development lists several requirements for ADUs, including the minimum size. At the bare minimum, your ADU needs a kitchen with at least 50 square feet of space. This amount of space makes it possible to move freely as you cook.
Keep in mind you can go above the minimum space requirements to provide a larger area for cooking meals for multiple people or entertaining. But you may want to stick to the minimum requirement if you’re trying to stay within a budget or don’t anticipate using the kitchen area often.
Understand the Additional Requirements
A kitchen without any cooking features is just another bedroom. This is why there are also requirements regarding the other features installed in the kitchen. For instance, you must have adequate counter space for food prep, and the kitchen needs cabinets for storing food.
One area where the requirements for kitchen features are strict is the choice of appliances. An ADU must have a stove or stove hookup. Although you can install a microwave and oven, these don’t count toward the requirement to have a stove available for cooking. The final requirement that matters is a sink with running water and a functioning drainage system.
Know How Smaller Units Differ
Junior accessory dwelling units (JADUs) are smaller, and ones in California have a few extra requirements compared to the larger styles. For a JADU, it’s common to have an efficient kitchen that takes an extremely minimalist approach to its design. The sink in one of these units must be no bigger than 16” x 16”. The appliances will also need to be smaller, with a power capacity below 120 volts, without using propane or natural gas. Carefully planning these smaller units makes it possible to fit in everything a person needs for an efficient kitchen while focusing on making good use of every square inch of space.
Choose Your Preferred Kitchen Style & Layout
If you prefer the minimum space requirement, you still have plenty of options for creating a functional kitchen with a minimalist floor plan. Home remodeling and renovation contractors often make use of vertical space to create plenty of storage for food and cookware.
Adding more square feet to the plan can open up room for bigger countertops and full-size appliances. If space permits, you can add an island to maximize the usable areas you have for cooking. Carefully planning the kitchen with your contractor helps you ensure every inch of space is utilized in the design.
When you’re ready to add an ADU to your home, make sure to hire the best contractors in the business. The team from Forever Builders are the experts in home renovations Costa Mesa homeowners can trust to provide the most affordable home remodeling services and ensure their visions become reality. From design to completion, we’ll help you create the home addition you’ve always wanted, meeting all your expectations while keeping your costs within budget. To find out more about our outstanding remodeling services, give one of our friendly team members a call today.